Community organizes car parade for Floyd County woman’s 106th birthday

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — Social distancing can make it tough to celebrate milestone birthdays. But a Floyd County community went beyond and above for a special celebration.

Crema Freeman, who lives in Rome, turned 106 this weekend and she was surprised by cars driving down her street. People honked, waved and dropped off gifts to wish Freeman a happy birthday.

Sherry Adkins organized the event along with Bishop David and Rena McCluskey, who runs local nonprofit Connecting Families.

Adkins said they asked for 106 cars to drive by, one for each year of Freeman’s life. But the turnout exceeded their expectations.

“As the procession was over, people came by anyways," Adkins said. “Some came from Cartersville, Acworth, just all around to celebrate her.”

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Members of Freeman’s family and her church, the Greater Bethlehem Temple, were joined by the Rome community.

Rome police officers blocked off the neighborhood streets and led the procession and Rome Mayor Bill Collins presented Freeman with a city proclamation.

Freeman was born in Carrollton, the youngest of four girls. She has lived in Rome for over 40 years after she retired from an Atlanta cleaning service.

Adkins said the 106-year-old, who still does her own cooking and cleaning, always sticks to her daily routine.

“Her routine is get up and cook breakfast, 2 cups of coffee. She reads her Bible, Rome News Tribune and watches the news. She wants to know everything that’s going on."

Freeman also enjoys watching gospel shows, the Atlanta Braves and wrestling. As for the secret to her long life? It all goes back to love.

“She believes that one reason for her longevity is to love everybody,: Adkins said. “She’s going to tell you that you got to love everybody. No matter what they say, what they do.”

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